GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2537
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18-03-2008

PROMOTION OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

2537. SHRI S K KHARVENTHAN:
SHRI NARHARI MAHATO:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any plan to boost the innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) programme in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the amount allocated for the purpose;

(c) the details of scientists and research scholars likely to be selected under this programme, particularly from West Bengal, State-wise; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to create attractive job opportunities in Science and Technology and to prevent the brain drain?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES
(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (d): Yes Sir. The Government of India has mounted a special scholarship scheme titled "Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)" to attract talented youth to study and carrers with science. The main features of the INSPIRE are : a) Scheme for Early Attraction of Talents for Science (SEATS) providing Science innovation scholarship of Rs 5000 for a total of one million young learners of the age group 10-15 years once in their school career and mentorship through global science leaders including Nobel Laureates and Indians leaders in science at a summer camp for the top 1% performers in the Class X examination every year for period of five years; b) Scholarships for Higher Education (SHE) for the age group of 17-22 years @ Rs 1 lakh per year for continuing science education at B.Sc and M.Sc. levels for 10,000 candidates and c) Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC) for 1000 young researchers in the age group of 22-32 years for 5 years to pursue doctoral research in science backed by an arrured career opportunity scheme for another period of five years on completion of their Ph D. The INSPIRE Programme, as it offers Science as a career option by providing necessary opportunities to youth with aptitude for science and a desire to innovate, in addition to reasonable financial assistance, would help in producing more science students and Ph.Ds and help in increasing the stock of the scientific community necessary for meeting future challenges including preventing the brain drain.

The scheme also envisages that the available number of scholarships would be distributed to students from varius Boards based on total number of students taken their examinations in the respective Boards including West Bengal. The total allocation for the entire 11th Five Year Paln is Rs 2250 crores for the INPIRE Program and is presently at various levels of Government approval.